What Is the NLS Nürburgring and Why Are Fanatec and Black Falcon Competing There?

The NLS Nürburgring is well established within endurance racing, but Fanatec’s sponsorship of the Black Falcon team may prompt some motorsport and sim racing fans to look more closely at what the series represents and why it matters. More than a shared passion for motorsport and sim racing, competing in the NLS provides an opportunity for both the team and Fanatec to demonstrate a common commitment to bridging real‑world endurance racing with cutting‑edge sim racing technology. To understand the significance of this partnership, it helps to look at what makes the NLS one of the most respected endurance racing championships in the world.

The NLS Nürburgring, formerly known as the VLN Langstreckenmeisterschaft Nürburgring, is a premier endurance racing series held exclusively at Germany’s iconic Nürburgring Nordschleife. Often referred to as the “Green Hell,” the Nordschleife is legendary for its brutality, unpredictability, and sheer scale.
Unlike most championships that rotate between circuits, the NLS is defined by this single venue – making track knowledge, adaptability, and consistency just as important as outright speed.

The Nordschleife is widely regarded as the most challenging racing circuit in the world. Spanning more than 25 kilometers when combined with sections of the GP-Strecke, it features over 170 corners, extreme elevation changes, blind crests, and rapidly changing grip levels.
In the NLS, these characteristics shape the entire series. Drivers must balance pace with mechanical sympathy, manage traffic across multiple classes, and adapt instantly to weather that can differ from one part of the circuit to another. Success here comes from experience and precision – not just horsepower.

A typical NLS season consists of eight to nine endurance races, most lasting four hours, with selected longer races acting as key preparation events for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.
All car classes race simultaneously, meaning slower touring cars share the track with high-performance GT machinery. Pit strategy, teamwork, and clean execution often decide race results as much as lap time, especially when rain, fog, or changing track conditions come into play.

One of the NLS’s defining traits is its multi-class diversity. Grids regularly exceed 100 cars, ranging from near-production vehicles to full GT3 race cars competing in the top SP9 class. Major manufacturers – including Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-AMG, Audi, and Ferrari – use the series to develop cars, drivers, and endurance racing technology.
The driver lineup is equally unique: club racers and amateurs compete alongside factory-backed professionals, creating a rare environment where experience levels mix at the highest difficulty level in circuit racing.

Beyond championships and trophies, the NLS plays a vital functional role. It is the primary route to earning a Nürburgring Permit, required to compete in high-speed classes and headline events such as the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. For teams like Black Falcon, the NLS is also an essential testing ground – used to validate setups, develop drivers, and prove reliability under extreme real-world conditions.

The NLS Nürburgring is more than a racing series; it is a pillar of endurance motorsport culture. Fanatec’s partnership with Black Falcon aligns naturally with this environment, where precision, performance, and technical excellence are non-negotiable. For many, NLS represents the purist form of modern endurance racing: uncompromising, unpredictable, and deeply rooted in racing tradition.